2012 in review: Business winners and losers

It's a rare sight to see an American company do its best to convince people
that is doesn't make money, but that's exactly what Troy Alstead,
Starbucks' global finance chief, tried to do when he was quizzed
by MPs over the coffee chain's tax affairs.

Mr Alstead was hauled before the Public Accounts Committee after it emerged
that Starbucks paid no corporation tax in the UK during the past three
years.

The company has notched up sales of £3bn in the UK since it launched in 1998,
but has always reported a loss, despite US management's claims that it was a "profitable"
marketplace.

Google and Amazon have also been criticised over their tax structures.